Men's Lacrosse

SHU Men's Lacrosse Announces their 2008 Team Awards

May 16, 2008

May 16, 2008

The Sacred Heart University men's lacrosse team announced their team awards for the 2008 season. In addition, head coach Tom Mariano announced that Bobby Rushton (West Islip, NY) has been elected captain for the 2009 season by their teammates.

This season's Pioneer Offensive Most Valuable Player award was given to sophomore Timmy Katz (Freeport, NY). Katz had a breakout sophomore season leading the team in goals (22), assists (15) and points (37) scored. Katz had at least a point in all but two games this season and had seven multi-goal games. He scored a career-high six goals in spurring a six-goal come from behind win over Hartford, falling one goal shy of the school record for a game. Coming into the season, Katz had scored just three goals with an assist in 2007. For his efforts against the Hawks, Katz was named both the CAA and the Turfer Athletic NEILA Player of the Week.

Graduate student Pat Healy (Towson, MD) was awarded the team's Most Valuable Defensive Player award. The two-time team captain started all 12 games and finished the season with a goal, an assist and 33 ground balls. He also added 13 caused turnovers to his totals. Healy picked up All-Colonial Athletic Association second team honors as well in 2008.

This season's Rookie of the Year award went to freshman James Mohrman (Hicksville, NY) who finished the year with four goals, one assist and five points in 10 games. Mohrman's four goals came on just six shot on the cage and included the game-winner against Manhattan. He also finished with 11 ground balls.

Seniors Tony Tanzi (Mahopac, NY) and Ricardo Vargas (Falls Church, VA) were the recipients of this year's "Heart Award". The "Heart Award" is given each season to the Pioneer who puts forth maximum effort every day both on and off the field. Tanzi and Vargas both served as captains of the 2007 team. Tanzi finished the year with a nod on the Turfer Athletic NEILA All-New England second team after putting up 11 goals, five assists and 16 points in 12 games. He also had 19 grounders and was eight of 14 on face-offs. Vargas saw the majority of minutes in goal and posted a 5-4 record with a 10.52 goals against average with 110 saves.

Senior defender John Benyei (West Hartford, CT) was the winner of this season's "Ground Ball" Award. Benyei played in all 12 games with 11 starts and finished with 24 ground ball pick-ups on the year. For his career, he finishes with 45 career grounders in 41 games played.

Rushton will serve as a team captain for the second-straight season. Heading into his senior year, Rushton is coming off a 19-point season where he scored 14 goals with five assists including a pair of game-winners and man-up tallies.